Several days passed without a word from her. I had sent a few texts just asking how she was doing and if she might be free to grab a meal on her day off, but the silence was discouraging. Then, late one night, my phone finally buzzed.
“Hi, sir! Sorry for the late reply. I just managed to get some load for my phone.”
I felt a rush of relief. I immediately typed back, “No worries! I’m just glad you replied. How are you, Lani?”
“I’m okay, sir. And you?”
“I’m good. By the way, you can just call me Mike, okay?”
“Okay, Mike.”
We texted back and forth for a bit. I found out her day off was coming up this Tuesday. I asked if she could meet me around 10 PM, and she told me she’d have to see. Eager to hear her voice, I asked if I could call her. She agreed.
When she picked up on the first ring, her voice was just as soft and sweet as I remembered. We laughed a little about her accidentally calling me “sir” again, but then the conversation turned a bit more serious.
“Lani, can I ask you something personal?” I hesitated. “Do you have a boyfriend?”
“Yes, I do,” she admitted.
“Is he working tonight?”
“Yes, he works at a fast-food restaurant. But honestly, Mike, things are difficult. I have a feeling he’s seeing someone else. He’s always claiming he has to work overtime.”
“Maybe it’s just the holiday rush?” I offered, trying to be fair. “Christmas is coming, after all.”
“Maybe,” she sighed. “But even when we are together, his attention is always elsewhere. He looks at every other girl that passes by. When I call him out on it, he just says it’s ‘normal’ for men to appreciate beauty. It’s frustrating.”
She went on to tell me how they met—he was a dancer in a group that performed at their local fiesta. She admitted she was initially won over by his charm and good looks, but the reality of the relationship had become a burden.
“What’s the use of being handsome if he can’t be trusted?” she asked, her voice sounding tired. “I’ve caught him cheating several times. He always asks for forgiveness, and I feel sorry for him, but I don’t know how much more I can tolerate.”
“That’s a lot to carry, Lani,” I said softly. “I’d really like to treat you to a meal on Tuesday. If you need someone to just listen, I’m here.”
“Text me Tuesday morning, Mike. I usually spend my mornings taking care of my father, so I’ll know my schedule better then.”
“I will. And thank you for talking to me.”
“It’s okay. I have to go now; a customer just requested me,” she said, her voice trailing off. “I just hope it’s a respectful one. It’s so draining having to constantly fend off people who don’t respect boundaries.”
“Take care of yourself, Lani. I’ll text you soon.”
Mike m. luster 